New Product Introduction Engineer

Job Description

<p>The <b>New Product Introduction Engineer&nbsp;</b>is responsible for the successful introduction of new programs and major coordinated changes into the factory. The role involves global cross functional strategic coordination, working closely with global NPI teams, Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, Homologation, Firmware, and others to ensure readiness for each major change and new product introduction. Exceptional planning and communication skills are mandatory.</p>

Job Responsibilities

• Drive all activities as relate to the operations perimeter for your program(s) into the factory. Clear target is to meet or exceed program milestones as set forth by the company.
• Participate in and lead various “cross functional” Program and Manufacturing Readiness forums. 
• Provide clear updates on status and recovery plans as necessary at both working and executive level.
• Oversee the complete manufacturing validation for the program, drive supply chain readiness and handover from launch-planning to production-planning; organize and oversee factory transition, and follow-up on excess/obsolescence planning and post program/service introduction activities.
• Plan, organize and orchestrate all pre-launch build activities. All actions documented within the PCA tool.
• Facilitate ramp management with operations teams.
• Oversee the finalization and validation of the MBOM for the program.
• Oversee the validation of all factory systems (MRP, ERP, MES, etc.) regarding launch preparation.
• Steer overall program validation plan and manufacturing readiness criteria (KPI's).
• Environment, health, and safety considered in all activities and manufacturing validations.
• Ensure that NPI-processes are followed in all doings (PCA, MRT, etc.). 
• Organization and follow-up of open points/actions that are required to secure a non-event introduction of the program; ensure conveyed and well communicated as actionable items throughout the organization.
• Interact, integrate, and drive results across cross-functional teams in engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, production, production control, sales, service, etc.
• Author weekly as needed project status, summary, and issue resolution tracking reports.
• Various other activities as assigned to support NPI and/or other production departments.
• Ensure obsolescence for each change is aligned with all stakeholders.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related technical field required (master’s degree in supporting field highly preferred), or equivalent in experience.
• Background in manufacturing/industrial engineering required, supply chain highly desired.
• 2+ years’ experience in automotive, high tech, or other high volume/high complexity manufacturing in a similar capacity coupled with demonstration of exceptionable ability.
• Production Operations Knowledge - Having a firm understanding of how complex production lines operate including key items such as industrial workings between facilities/departments, line balance, OEE, error proofing, etc.
• Understanding of how the manufacturing validation process runs in relation to complex new products that stretch across various engineer teams and manufacturing centers/factories (methodology, validation plans, associated KPI's).

Great understanding of design for manufacture, process design, process validation, and assembly methods.

• Strong interpersonal skills dealing with all levels of an organization. Able to communicate to senior and executive level leadership effectively and confidently.
• Strong English written and verbal communication skills. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills; adverse in various problem-solving methodologies.
• Team player: ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment with cross-functional teams.
• Previous experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Previous experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret basic mechanical drawings or CAD-models.
• Has a well-versed understanding of production-line layout, flow, and modelling.  
• Should clearly understand the following:

job shops, batch, and flow production

takt, touch and cycle time

bottle neck identification and methods for resolving.

workstation organization and setup / lean manufacturing principles

statistical process control

designing single flow lines to build multiple products.

• Strong motivation to support the company mission is necessary to succeed.